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(no subject)

Who: You
When: Day 52, morning
Where: Anywhere

[Of course there's still the flowers that, when stepped on, enhance or dull a sense, and there are still some chocolates in the lounge if you missed them or want more.

But this morning dawns with an infestation of bats.

That is, tiny tiny clockwork bats that get in your hair and coffee and make tiny tiny clockwork bat screeches.

Should you encounter a clockwork bat, and they're pretty hard to dodge, the next person you talk to will... Well, see one of your memories.

Otherwise it seems like a pretty typical morning, and the bats will be gone by afternoon.]

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[ After a long moment, his attention snaps back into focus and he looks over at Rean. ]

You, uh.... May want to avoid touching any more of those guys if you ever see 'em again.

[ He rubs the back of his head. ]

Looks like there's a side effect and I'm guessing you'd rather not overshare.

Ah...

[Well it can't be emotions that's already a thing between them.]

What did you see?

Does the name "Graham" ring a bell?

[ It's a question, but one he already knows the answer to-- he doubts he could have seen something Rean didn't already remember. But it's a good way of explaining without saying too much out loud. ]

Ah, yeah. I think you were looking at an article about him earlier.

[ ....Really, Rean? ]

Well, I saw a lot more than an article just now.

[He's not denying remembering the guy!]

Mm. As I recall he could get pretty intense.

No kidding.

[ He considers Rean for a moment, then reaches over to pat his head. ]

...I'm guessing you already know this, but it probably doesn't hurt to say I'd never pull what he did on you.

[He of course knows that but still there's surprise and then a soft feeling when Crow just says it.]

...Thank you.

I'm not sure it's worth thanking me over, that's just decency. But I figure you still deserved to hear it.

[ Since you didn't mention anything! Not that he thinks Rean did it out of malice so much as not seeing a point in it, but you know. ]

[There isn't a point really. It's just part of what he is. He's doesn't like it but he can't change it so he doesn't worry about it. Or rather, he has so much he has issues with but he knows he isn't human anymore, doesn't get to think along the same rules.

So it's endearing when people do treat him as human and with the right to agency. He can't help but feel charmed and endeared.]

I appreciate it all the same.

[ Crow looks over at him again. ]

...Wanna go somewhere quieter with me for a sec?

[ He is, for once, not horny so it's definitely not that. ]

Sure.

[Ugh why are his people so good and soft. He ruffles Crow's hair in return. But he'll follow wherever.]

[ In that case, he's kidnapping Rean to the Licorice cabin and his bedroom, at which point he is pulling Rean in for a hug. ]

Edited 2019-12-19 03:50 (UTC)

[He can't help but laugh softly, hugging him back.]

You have to go in private to hug someone, huh?

[He can't not tease Crow?]

[ Wow rude? ]

It's nobody else's business.

[ His tone is matter-of-fact about it even as he keeps hugging Rean. The idea of being that openly vulnerable in a public environment makes him uncomfortable. He's definitely not shy. ]

[He's accepting the hug anyway, leaning into it.]

Yeah, maybe not.

Definitely not.

[ He's quiet for a moment. ]

You know, I can't imagine it didn't hurt you to remember that. Having your hand forced into something that terrible, that painful... Even if it was a long time ago, even if it feels like ancient history... You don't have to shoulder that burden alone. You have people who care for you, Rean. You should lean on us a little more.

Crow....

I... Thank you.

[He doesn't know what else to say. He does know, that he's cared about, in the same way, he doesn't want to put any sadness on those around him, even if it's only to sympathize with him. Maybe especially for that. Yes he also knows leaning on others is important, in general. After all, it's part of what this whole train is supposed to be about.

But, when it comes down to it, for a situation like with Graham... Even if he was forced, he doesn't feel he deserves sympathy. Even if it hurts, all he can do for the lives he's taken is hurt for them. He doesn't know exactly what Crow saw, but a lot of things happened that "lifetime" or whatever you call it, and most of them were monstrous. Leaning on anyone else for this feels somewhat wrong.

But he doesn't want to reject Crow's feelings either.]

You're my friend, Rean. My partner. So just... think about it, okay? I'm not trying to absolve you of your guilt. It's up to you to decide what to do with those feelings. But you don't have to be alone with that hurt. Besides...

[ He pulls away a little, just enough to look at Rean's face will still nominally hugging him. ]

You wouldn't let anyone else suffer alone.